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Abstract:

A cutting device for a machine tool, suitable for mounting on the spindle
support structure of a machine tool (200) for processing and cutting
materials (224), incorporates sucker means (44a,b,c,d,e,f; 64a,b,c) able
to cause said device (30) to adhere to and be fixed to the materials
being machined (224). The invention also relates to a cutting head
comprising a protection device with incorporated sucker means
(44a,b,c,d,e,f; 64a,b,c), a cutting spindle (10, 100, 300, 400)
comprising a protection device (30) with incorporated sucker means
(44a,b,c,d,e,f; 64a,b,c) and a machine (200) for machining the materials,
comprising a cutting spindle incorporating sucker means.

Claims:

1. Protection device (30) for a cutting disc (22) intended to be mounted,
so as to surround partially the periphery of the cutting disc, on a
cutting spindle (10, 100, 300, 400) or on a spindle support structure of
a machine tool (200) for machining and cutting materials, characterized
in that it comprises a protection element from which project sucker means
(44a,b,c,d,e,f; 64a,b,c) able to cause said device (30) to adhere and be
fixed to the materials being machined (224).

2. Protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the said
protection element has a semi-circular peripheral edge with a circular
half-rim on which the sucker means are arranged.

3. Protection device according to claim 2, characterized in that the said
protection element is a first protection element and the device comprises
a second protection element (60) which is mounted on said first
protection element (40) so as to close the circular half-rim and which is
removable so as to allow disassembly of the cutting disc.

4. Protection device according to claim 3, characterized in that the
second protection element (60) is provided with its own sucker means (64
a,b,c).

5. Protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that said
sucker means comprise a plurality of suckers (44a,b,c,d,e,f; 64a,b,c).

6. Protection device according to claim 5, characterized in that said
suckers of said plurality of suckers (44a,b,c,d,e,f; 64a,b,c) can be
operated independently of each other.

7. Protection device according to claim 5, characterized in that said
plurality of suckers (44a,b,c,d,e,f) are incorporated in the protection
element (40).

8. Protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that said
sucker means (94 a,b,c,d,e,f; 96 a,b,c) are movable between a rest
position, where they are contained inside the protection device, and a
second operating position, where they project from said protection
device.

10. Protection device according to claim 9, characterized in that said
suction means comprise at least one Venturi tube element (48, 68)
connected to the sucker means and supplied with blowing air so as to
create a vacuum in the sucker means.

11. Machine (200) for processing materials, characterized in that it
comprises a working surface, a cutting spindle (10, 100, 300, 400, 600)
on which a cutting disc is mounted, and motor means for moving the
cutting spindle on the working surface, the cutting spindle being
rotatable about an axis (B), parallel to the working surface, between a
first position where the cutting disc is perpendicular to the working
surface and a second position where the cutting disc is parallel to the
working surface, the cutting spindle being provided with a protection
device (30) which partially surrounds the periphery of the cutting disc
and which comprises sucker means (44a,b,c,d,e,f; 64a,b,c) able to cause
said device (30) to adhere and be fixed to the materials being processed
(224) on the working surface when the cutting spindle is in the second
position.

12. Machine according to claim 11, characterized in that the protection
device comprises a protection element from which project said sucker
means (44a,b,c,d,e,f; 64a,b,c).

13. Machine according to claim 12, characterized in that the said
protection element (40) has a semi-circular peripheral edge with a
circular half-rim on which the sucker means are arranged.

14. Machine according to claim 13, characterized in that the said
protection element is a first protection element and the protection
device comprises a second protection element (60) which is mounted on
said first protection element (40) so as to close the circular half-rim
and which is removable so as to allow disassembly of the cutting disc.

15. Machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the second
protection element (60) is provided with its own sucker means
(44a,b,c,d,e,f; 64a,b,c).

16. Machine according to claim 11, characterized in that said sucker
means comprise a plurality of suckers (44a,b,c,d,e,f; 64a,b,c).

17. Machine according to claim 16, characterized in that the suckers of
said plurality of suckers (44a,b,c,d,e,f; 64a,b,c) can be operated
independently of each other.

18. Machine according to claim 12, characterized in that said plurality
of suckers (44a,b,c,d,e,f) are incorporated in the protection element.

19. Machine according to claim 11, characterized in that said sucker
means (94a,b,c,d,e,f; 96a,b,c) are movable between a rest position, where
they are contained inside the protection device, and a second operating
position, where they project from said protection device.

20. Machine according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises
suction means (46,48,50,52 66,68,70,72) for said sucker means
(44a,b,c,d,e,f; 64a,b,c; 94a,b,c,d,e,f; 96a,b,c) which comprise at least
one Venturi tube element (48, 68) connected to the sucker means and
supplied with blowing air so as to create a vacuum in the sucker means.

21. Machine according to claim 11, characterized in that said cutting
spindle (10, 100, 300, 400, 600) is rotatable about the horizontal axis
(B) so as to assume, during operation, different working configurations
in which said sucker means (44a,b,c,d,e,f; 64a,b,c; 94a,b,c,d,e,f,g;
96a,b,c) may be made to adhere to the material being machined (224) in
order to fix it to said device (30) and then move it within the machining
area.

22. Machine according to claim 21, characterized in that said different
operating configurations range between a first end position, where the
axis of rotation (A) of said spindle (10, 100, 300, 400, 600) is
horizontal and therefore said cutting disc (22) is vertical, in order to
perform vertical cuts in the material to be machined (224), and a second
end position where the axis of rotation (A) of said spindle (10, 100,
300, 400, 600) is vertical and said cutting disc (22) is horizontal in
order to perform horizontal cuts in the material being machined (224).

23. Machine according to claim 22, characterized in that, in said second
end operating position, said sucker means (44a,b,c,d,e,f; 64a,b,c;
94a,b,c,d,e,f,g; 96a,b,c) may be made to adhere to the slab, or parts
thereof, in order to fix it said device (30) and then move it by means of
movement of the spindle on the machining surface.

24. Machine according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises two
longitudinally arranged support structures (230, 232) on which respective
travel rails (234, 236) are positioned, a spindle-carrying crossbeam
(240) extending transversely between said two support structures (230,
232) and slidably mounted on said travel rails (234, 236) so as to be
moved in said longitudinal direction, a sleeve support carriage (250)
slidably mounted on said spindle-carrying crossbeam (240), a spindle
carrying sleeve (252) movable vertically relative to said spindle
carriage (250), and the working surface (222) for supporting the material
to be processed is arranged between said two support structures (230,
232), said cutting spindle (254) provided with said protection device
(30) containing said sucker pick-up means (44a,b,c,d,e,f; 64a,b,c;
94a,b,c,d,e,f,g; 96a,b,c) being mounted on the bottom end of said spindle
carrying sleeve (252) so as to be able to pick up the material to be
machined (224) from said working surface (222), move it and deposit it
again on the working surface.

25. Machine according to claim 11, characterized in that said working
surface (222) comprises a conveyor belt with a thick rubber-lined surface
suitable for receiving incisions of the cutting disc.

26. Machine according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises a
second cutting spindle positioned on said working surface with the
vertical disc which projects upwards from said working surface, so that,
by picking up and moving the material to be cut by means of said sucker
means (44a,b,c,d,e,f; 64a,b,c; 94a,b,c,d,e,f,g; 96a,b,c) on said disc of
said second spindle it is possible to perform cuts on the underside of
the material.

27. Machine according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises
loading means for transferring the article to be machined onto said
working surface and unloading means for removing the machined articles
from said working surface.

28. Machine according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises
retaining means arranged coaxially with the cutting disc for supporting a
further machining tool.

Description:

[0001] The present invention relates to a cutting machine and incorporated
handling devices for the material under processing. In particular, the
invention also relates to an advantageous cutting device for a machine
tool, suitable for mounting on the spindle support structure of a machine
tool and incorporating means for handling the material. Moreover, the
invention relates to an advantageous protection device for a cutting disc
which is suitable for mounting on a cutting spindle of a machine tool for
machining and cutting materials and incorporates systems for handling the
material.

[0002] The invention also relates to a cutting head for a cutting spindle
comprising a tool holder connection on which the cutting disc is mounted
and on which a protection device is also fixed.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a cutting spindle of a
machine tool for machining and cutting materials, comprising a spindle
motor provided with a fixed support onto which a protection device can be
fitted, and a machine for processing materials, comprising a cutting
spindle on which a protection device is mounted.

[0004] In the description of the invention below reference will be made to
the cutting of slabs of natural and agglomerated stone, ceramic and glass
material without this, however, being intended to be limiting. The
machining of other materials may also be performed by a machine applying
the principles of the present invention.

[0005] In order to cut the abovementioned materials a suitable cutting
disc is used, for example a diamond cutting disc which necessarily must
be provided with a suitable protection device in order to: prevent the
operator from coming into contact with the rotating cutting disc and
therefore suffering possible injury; prevent any diamond segments which
may come off the cutting disc from being projected outside the working
area, creating unsafe conditions for the operators; and contain the
cutting fluid so that it is not sprayed also outside the working area and
conveyed on the cutting disc itself.

[0006] For this purpose protection cowls or cases are provided, these
covering the non-operative part of the disc, i.e. the part of the disc
not in contact with the material to be cut and therefore substantially
the top half of the disc.

[0007] Moreover, when it is required to cut a slab so as to obtain tiles,
strips or any other semi-finished article for interior or urban
furnishing, it is required to perform a series of longitudinal,
transverse or oblique cuts which can not be performed directly after
carrying out the first series of cuts; the parts being machined must be
first spaced apart in order to able to perform the subsequent cuts
without damaging the adjacent parts.

[0008] This strip spacing operation may be performed manually, but must be
performed by the operator, with the result that the machining time is
increased considerably, and is also the cause of frequent positioning or
alignment errors when performing the cuts. Moreover, the costs of the
final product is increased in view of the high unit cost of specialized
labour.

[0009] In order to reduce the cost and speed up the machining operation it
has been thought to automate the manual operations described above by
providing automatic manipulators.

[0010] There exist, therefore, machines with which manipulators for
picking up and handling the pieces of cut material are associated.

[0011] For example, in the case of machines with a gantry structure, i.e.
machines comprising two support structures which are arranged
longitudinally and between which a spindle-carrying crossbeam extends
transversely in a slidable manner, said crossbeam slidably supporting a
sleeve support carriage on which in turn a spindle-carrying sleeve
supporting on the bottom end a cutting spindle is vertically movable, it
is possible to provide a second crossbeam which is similar to the
spindle-carrying crossbeam and along which a sucker pick-up device
slides. The manipulator has, in addition to the crossbeam with the
pick-up device, a carriage which travels along the crossbeam on which the
actual sucker pick-up device travels vertically.

[0012] Alternatively, the sucker manipulator may be mounted directly on
the sleeve support carriage. In this case, the manipulator has a
structure which extends from the spindle carrying sleeve and which is
movable vertically with respect to the sleeve at the bottom end of which
the sucker pick-up device is fixed.

[0013] According to another solution the sucker pick-up device extends
from the cutting head in an external position and is provided with
actuator means for moving it in the vertical direction.

[0014] Finally, according to another solution, the pick-up device is again
mounted on the cutting head in a vertically stowed-away position, folded
up against the head, and, if necessary, may be unfolded so as to be
operative.

[0015] It is evident that all these automated solutions have various
drawbacks.

[0016] Firstly it is required to provide manipulators with structures
which are somewhat complex and are therefore costly.

[0017] Furthermore, these manipulators, owing to the various movable
mechanical parts, are prone to faults or malfunctions. It is evident that
a fault prevents execution of the cutting operations with consequent
serious economic loss.

[0018] Furthermore these structures increase the overall dimensions of the
machine and its final cost.

[0019] The main object of the invention is to provide a cutting machine
which is able to handle automatically the cut material without, however,
the drawbacks mentioned in connection with the prior art.

[0020] In particular, preferably the cutting machine is provided with
means for picking up and handling the cut material without there being,
however, excessive complications in relation to the main machine.

[0021] It is also desirable that the pick-up means should not introduce
complicated additional mechanisms and should not increase substantially
the overall dimensions of the machine, especially in the region of the
cutting tool, and that the increase in the final cost of the machine
should be relatively small.

[0022] These objects are achieved by means of a protection device for a
cutting disc, suitable for mounting on a cutting spindle of a machine
tool for machining and cutting materials, characterized in that it
comprises sucker means able to cause said device to adhere and be fixed
to the materials under processing.

[0023] The sucker means may thus be perfectly incorporated in the cutting
disc protection device and therefore, owing to their simplicity, the
cutting machine provided with such a protection device does not increase
the overall dimensions with respect to the main machine.

[0024] Also the final cost of the machine is not subject to substantial
increases.

[0025] It should be noted that the protection device provided with sucker
means does not have complex moving parts so that it is reliable and not
prone to faults or malfunctions.

[0026] It should be noted, finally, that such a device has a high degree
of versatility since it may be applied also to existing machines,
requiring only simple and quick adaptation and replacement operations.

[0027] Still according to the principles of the invention a cutting
spindle of a machine tool for machining and cutting materials is proposed
here, characterized in that it comprises a fixed support on which a
protection device as described above is fitted.

[0028] Furthermore, according to the principles of the invention, a
machine for processing materials is also proposed, characterized in that
it comprises a cutting spindle on which a protection device as described
above is mounted.

[0029] Preferably, the machine is characterized in that said cutting
spindle is rotatable about a horizontal axis so as to assume, during
operation, different working configurations in which said sucker means
may be made to adhere to the material being processed in order to fix it
to said device and then move it within the working area.

[0030] Preferably the different operating configurations range between a
first end position, where the axis of rotation of said spindle is
horizontal and therefore said cutting disc is vertical, in order to
perform vertical cuts in the material to be processed, and a second end
position in which the axis of rotation of said spindle is vertical and
said cutting disc is horizontal in order to perform horizontal cuts in
the material being processed.

[0031] In said second end operating position the sucker means may be made
to adhere to a slab or to parts thereof so as to grip and then move them.

[0032] It is evident that the spindle, and therefore the cutting disc, may
assume different configurations. For example, when the axis of the
spindle is horizontal, and therefore the disc vertical, vertical cuts are
performed in the material being processed. When, instead, the axis of the
spindle is vertical and therefore the disc is horizontal, horizontal cuts
may be performed in the material, but in particular, since the sucker
means are directed downwards, it is possible to use them to grip and move
the cut material arranged horizontally on the working bench.

[0033] In this way it is advantageously possible to grip the cut parts an
move them simply by rotating the spindle and moving the spindle-carrying
structure by means of the mechanisms which usually move the cutting disc.

[0034] In particular, the protection device is provided with suction means
which comprise at least one Venturi tube element supplied with blowing
air supplied from said cutting spindle and able therefore to create a
vacuum which allows the parts being machined to adhere and be fixed to
said device. It should be noted that the use of a Venturi tube element is
not limiting for the application and that each of the Venturi tube
elements may also be replaced with a corresponding vacuum circuit.

[0035] The protection device provided with the sucker means is therefore a
device which is extremely simple, reliable, compact and low-cost also
because, in the case where Venturi devices are used for generation of the
vacuum, a reduction in the cost of the vacuum system is possible. As a
result there is no substantial increase either in cost or in size with
regard to both the spindle and the machine on which it is mounted.

[0036] Moreover, the material gripping and handling operations are very
simple and quick.

[0037] Preferably, the cutting spindle comprises retaining means for a
tool-holder connection. Said retaining means comprise preferably an
insert mounted on the end of said spindle, said insert being provided for
example with magnetic means for fixing said tool-holder connection to
said insert and then to said spindle, or other types of fixing means,
known per se, such as a bayonet, screw, shank or other type of coupling
means.

[0038] In this way the cutting spindle is able to pick up and fix thereto
a tool with a tool-holder connection, for example a boring tool, and
after a rotation through 90°, thus arrange the spindle axis in a
vertical direction and perform with the same cutting spindle the boring
or other operations depending on the tool used.

[0039] In particular, the machine according to the present invention may
advantageously be provided with a working surface which comprises a
second cutting spindle positioned on said machining surface with the
vertical disc which projects upwards from said working surface, so that,
by picking up and moving the material to be cut by means of said sucker
means on said disc of said second spindle, it is possible to perform cuts
on the underside of the material.

[0040] These and other advantages of the present invention will emerge
more clearly from the following detailed description of a number of
embodiments thereof provided by way of a non-limiting example, with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0041] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cutting spindle provided with a
protection device according to the invention;

[0042] FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 1 in which the
movable part of the protection device has been removed;

[0043] FIG. 3 is a vertical section through the spindle according to FIG.
1 showing the means for fixing the movable part of the protection device
to the fixed part of the same device;

[0044] FIG. 4 is a vertical section through the spindle according to FIG.
1, similar to that of FIG. 3, showing the sucker means;

[0045] FIG. 5 is a view, on a larger scale, of a detail of FIG. 4 showing
the sucker means;

[0046] FIG. 6 is a view of a spindle according to the invention on which a
boring tool with associated connection is mounted;

[0047] FIGS. 7 and 8 are two cross-sections of FIG. 6, on a larger scale,
showing the boring tool with associated connection;

[0048] FIG. 9 is a vertical section, on a larger scale, of the end of the
spindle according to

[0049] FIG. 6 without boring tool and fitted with a cover;

[0050] FIGS. 10 and 11 are side views of the spindle corresponding to two
operating positions with operation of the disc and sucker means,
respectively;

[0051] FIG. 12 is a front view of a cutting machine with a spindle
according to the invention shown in a first operative cutting position;

[0052] FIG. 13 is a side view of the machine according to FIG. 9 in which
the spindle is shown in a second operating position for picking up and
handling material;

[0053] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a spindle according to a first
variant in which the sucker means are provided only on the fixed part of
the protection device;

[0054] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the spindle according to a second
variant in which the sucker means are provided only on the movable part
of the protection device;

[0055] FIG. 16 shows a variation of embodiment of the sucker means in
which said means are movable and shown in a partially sectioned view of
the protection device;

[0056] FIG. 17 shows a slab with an example of the cuts to be performed,
positioned on the cutting bench;

[0057] FIG. 18 shows the slab according to FIG. 17 during an intermediate
stage of the cutting operations;

[0058] FIG. 19 shows the slab according to FIG. 17 with the various parts
cut and spaced apart at the end of the cutting operation;

[0059] FIG. 20 shows a cutting head with tool fixture on which the disc
protection according to the invention is mounted.

[0060] FIGS. 1 to 4 show a cutting spindle 10 of a machine tool for
machining and cutting materials.

[0061] As mentioned above, reference will be made to natural or
agglomerated stone, ceramic or glass materials, without this being
intended to be limiting. Other materials may obviously be processed by a
machine applying the principles of the invention.

[0062] The cutting spindle 10 comprises a spindle motor 20 at the end of
which a cutting disc 22 is mounted.

[0063] The top half of the cutting disc is covered by a protection device
30 which comprises sucker means. Advantageously, these means are
incorporated in the protection device (advantageously always with a shape
which matches the upper shape of the cutting disc) so as to be situated
substantially inside the front profile of the protection device.

[0064] The sucker means are advantageously arranged with their operating
surface lying in a plane parallel to the face of the cutting disc.
Advantageously, the protection device 30 comprises a first protection
element 40, which is fixed onto the spindle structure or onto a fixed
support 41 of the spindle 10 and which covers the rear side of the
cutting disc 22 (i.e. the side of the disc facing the spindle), and a
second protection element 60 which is fixed removably onto the first
protection element 40 and which covers the front side of the disc 22.

[0065] In FIG. 3 can be seen that the second protection element 60 is
fixed removably by means of screws 62 to the first protection element 40.

[0066] As shown, for example, in FIG. 5, the first protection element 40
advantageously has a circular half-flange 42 provided on its
semi-circular peripheral edge with a circular half-rim 44 on which
suckers 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, 44e, 44f are formed.

[0067] The second protection element 60 has preferably a substantially
semi-circular shape, the outer edge of which coincides with the inner
edge of the circular half-rim 44. In particular, it can be noted that the
circular half-rim 44 and the second protection element 60 are flush with
each other and there are therefore no parts which project and/or extend
relative to each other.

[0068] Suckers 64a,64b,64c are formed on the second protection element 60.

[0069] As can be seen in FIG. 4, but in particular in FIG. 5, each sucker
is advantageously supplied by means of its own supply circuit.

[0070] For example, the sucker 44a of the first protection element 40 is
advantageously supplied by an air inlet channel 46 which has a
constriction so as to form a Venturi tube element 48 and finally an air
outlet channel 50. Opposite the Venturi tube 48 there is a communication
channel 52 which leads into the sucker 44a or, more specifically, inside
the sealing ring 54 of the sucker 44a.

[0071] Therefore, by supplying the channel 46 with blowing air, owing to
the depression created inside the Venturi tube, a depression is created
that owing to the communication channel 52, causes the depressurization
also of the sucker 44a.

[0072] Similarly, the sucker 64a of the second protection element is
advantageously supplied by an air inlet channel 66 which has a
constriction so as to form a Venturi tube element 68 and finally an air
outlet channel 70. Opposite the Venturi tube 68 there is a communication
channel 72 which leads into the sucker 64a or, more specifically, inside
the sealing ring 74 of the sucker 64a.

[0073] By supplying, therefore, the inlet channels 44, 66 with blowing
air, the suckers are activated so as to be able to pick up the cut
material, as will be described more fully below.

[0074] It should be noted that, preferably, supply channels 56, 76 are
provided opposite the Venturi tubes 48 and 68 and introduce blowing air
directly into the respective communication channels 52, 72 so as to
convey pressurised air to the suckers 44a, 64a and thus facilitate
separation of the material adhering to the suckers 44a, 64a.

[0075] FIGS. 6 and 7 show, instead, a cutting spindle 100 similar to the
cutting spindle 10 described with reference to the preceding figures, but
provided with retaining means 110 for a tool 120.

[0076] As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 8, the retaining means 110
comprise, for example, a conical connection 112 mounted on the free end
of the spindle 100, but other known types of connection could also be
used, such as a gas thread connection or the like. Advantageously, the
conical connection 112 has a flanged end 114 which has, fixed therein, a
further tool retaining connection 115 which, for example, may be of the
magnetic type and which has, formed therein, at least one seat 116 for
receiving tool driving elements such as a seat for a lug. The connection
112 is hollow, i.e. has an axial through-hole 118.

[0077] The tool 120 in turn has a tool-holder connection 130 on which the
actual tool 140 is fixed. The tool-holder connection 130 has a flange 132
intended to interface with the flange 114 of the connection 112. A shank
134 extends from the flange 132 and is designed to be inserted inside the
through-hole 118 of the conical connection 112. The flange 132 may be
provided with a tool driving device 136, such as a lug, designed to
engage inside the corresponding seat 116 formed in the flanged end 114 of
the conical connection 112.

[0078] Owing to the magnet 115 which is fixed onto the flange 132 and the
lug which engages inside this seat 116, the tool-holder connection 130 is
firmly held on the conical fixture 112.

[0079] The tool 120, or rather the actual tool 140, may be a milling,
boring or other type of tool. More frequently, it is a boring tool, the
mode of use of which will be described below.

[0080] In FIG. 9 is shown the end of the spindle 100 advantageously closed
by means of a cover 150 in the case the end of the spindle is not used
for engage the tool 120.

[0081] It is evident that, when the tool 120 is mounted on the retaining
means 110 of the spindle 100, the tool 120 projects from the first and
second protection elements 40, 60 and therefore the suckers
44a,b,c,d,e,f,g can not be used to pick up the material being processed.
In order to be able to use them it is required to deposit first the tool
120 inside the corresponding store.

[0082] FIGS. 10 and 11 show the spindle 10 mounted rotatably on a
fork-shaped structure 160.

[0083] The fork-shaped structure 160 comprises a flange 162 intended to be
fixed rotatably about a vertical axis C to the bottom end of a sleeve of
a machine tool, as will be described more fully below.

[0084] The spindle 10 is mounted in turn rotatably on the fork-shaped
structure 160 so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis B.

[0085] The spindle 10 may assume two end positions: a first end position,
where the axis of the spindle A is horizontal (FIG. 10) and therefore the
cutting disc 22 is vertical, in which position the disc performs the
cutting operations, and a second end operating condition where, after
rotating the spindle 10 about the axis of rotation B through an angle of
90°, the axis of the spindle B is arranged vertically and
therefore the disc 22 is arranged horizontally (see FIG. 11). In this
condition it is possible to perform horizontal cuts on the material, but
in particular it is possible, using the suckers 44a,b,c,d,e,f and
64a,b,c,d,e,f, to pick up the material being processed and move it.

[0086] Finally, in FIGS. 12 and 13 a machine tool 200 for cutting
materials is shown, which is fitted with a spindle 10, or alternatively
the spindle 100, as described above.

[0087] The machine 200 comprises a base 220 with, mounted thereon, a work
surface 222 on which a rough slab 224 to be processed is deposited. A
wooden board 226 is arranged between the work surface 222 and the slab to
be machined so that during the cutting operations the disc does not score
the work surface, but instead the wooden board which must be periodically
replaced with a new one.

[0088] As an alternative to the wooden board, it is possible to provide a
conveyor belt with a thick rubber-lined surface able to receive the
incisions of the cutting discs, so as to automate and speed up unloading
of the machined material.

[0089] Alternatively and advantageously it is possible to provide a metal
base on top of which supports made of soft material are mounted, said
supports being able to support the material to be machined in a spaced
position so that the cutting disc or machining tool does not cut into the
metal base. For example, these supports may consist of metal bars onto
the top end of which corresponding plastic profiles are fitted.

[0090] In this way, the machining waste no longer accumulates on the
machining surface but instead falls down through the supports so that
cleaning of the machining surface is reduced considerably.

[0091] The machine 200 is bounded at the two ends by two longitudinally
arranged support structures 230, 232 on which respective travel rails
234, 236 are mounted.

[0092] A spindle-carrying crossbeam 240 is mounted between the two support
structures 230 and 232, being arranged transversely with respect to the
longitudinal direction and movable along the two support structures 230,
232 by motor means not shown in figures.

[0093] On the spindle-carrying crossbeam 240 a sleeve support carriage 250
is mounted is, being slidably mounted on said crossbeam and having in
turn, mounted thereon, a spindle carrying sleeve 252 which is vertically
movable by means of a drive unit 256 and which has, mounted on its bottom
end, the spindle 10 for rotation of the cutting disc 22 or the machining
tool 120.

[0094] It should be noted that the guide means and motor means for moving
the crossbeam 240, the sleeve support carriage 250 and the spindle
carrying sleeve 252 are known per se, consisting for example of rack and
pinion mechanisms, trapezoidal or recirculating ball bearing screws, or
the like, so that they are not described below, nor shown in the figures.

[0095] It must be pointed out, however, that the above description is
necessarily generic in nature where it relates to a machine structure and
components essentially of the prior art, such that they may be easily
imagined by the person skilled in the art and a fuller description is not
necessary.

[0096] From the above description it can be noted that the position of the
spindle 10, and therefore of the cutting disc 22 or the machining tool
120, is adjustable so that it can be arranged opposite any point on the
work surface 120: this is achieved by means of suitable displacement of
the crossbeam 240 transversely with respect to the work surface 222 and a
suitable sliding movement of the sleeve support carriage 250 along the
said crossbeam.

[0097] The operating principle of the machine is as follows:

[0098] After performing a first series of cuts on the rough slab 224, the
suckers 44a,b,c,d,e,f and 64a,b,c are activated so as to separate the
adjacent strips or parts which must again be cut in such a way that the
cutting disc 22 does not score and damage the adjacent parts, as for
example schematically shown in FIGS. 17, 18 and 19.

[0099] Since the spindle is rotatable about the vertical axis C, the
suckers may also displace strips formed with cuts which are transverse to
the longitudinal axis of the bench.

[0100] The machine 200 may comprise a second cutting spindle (not shown in
figures) positioned with the vertical disc which projects upwards from
the machining surface.

[0101] In this way, by picking up and moving the material to be cut using
the suckers on the disc of the second spindle, it is possible to perform
cuts on the underside of the material.

[0102] It is therefore possible, operationing on the rear non-visible side
of the piece of material, for example in order to form grooves inside
which reinforcing elements ("rodding") are inserted or form blind holes
inside which the fixing bushes, for example for kitchen sinks, are later
inserted, by means of a special tool applied to a further auxiliary
spindle arranged alongside.

[0103] Once the machining operations have been completed, the finished
material is unloaded manually by the operator.

[0104] It is also possible to perform loading of the rough slab on one
side of the machine and unloading of the machined parts on the other side
of the machine in a completely automatic manner by providing, for
example, both on the loading side and on the unloading side a shuttle,
conveyor belt or rollerway; in this case the workbench is provided with a
conveyor belt with a thick rubber-lined covering suitable for receiving
the incisions of the cutting discs.

[0105] Alternatively, loading and unloading means may be arranged on only
one side of the machine by providing, for example, two horizontal and
vertically spaced support surfaces, said support surfaces comprising
means for moving the material and being vertically movable so as to be
able to align alternately any one of the two support surfaces with the
machining surface 222; in this way, while the support surface aligned
with the machining surface 222 feeds the machine with the material to be
machined and/or unloads the machined material, the second support surface
unloads the machined material and/or is loaded with new material to be
machined.

[0106] The suckers 44a,b,c,d,e,f and 64a,b,c are advantageously able to be
operated individually, namely independently of each other, so as to allow
the gripping of parts of varying sizes and form.

[0107] With this machine both optimized cutting of the slab and machining
of the underside of the slab may be easily performed.

[0108] The suckers may also be used to load the rough material to be
machined and if necessary unload the finished material.

[0109] In this way, the need for human action is eliminated and the
machining times are reduced with consequent significant cost savings.

[0110] What is more, if the machine is incorporated in a machining line
and therefore with automated loading and unloading, the advantages are
even more evident.

[0111] FIGS. 14 and 15 show, respectively, a cutting spindle 300 and a
cutting spindle 400 according to other variants of the invention.

[0112] The cutting spindle 300 is provided with only suckers
44a,b,c,d,e,f,g on the first protection element 40, while the second
protection element 60 is without suckers.

[0113] The spindle 400 is instead provided only with suckers 64a,b,c on
the second protection element 60, while the first protection element 40
is without suckers.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 20, it is also possible to envisage a cutting head
500 comprising a known tool-holder connection 700 on which the cutting
disc 22 is mounted and a protection 30 is fixed as described above.

[0115] The cutting spindle 600 is in turn provided with a known
tool-holder coupling 800 with which the connection 700 can be coupled so
that the cutting head can be removed in a known manner from a special
store by the cutting spindle via the tool-holder connection.

[0116] It is evident that any variant or modification which is
functionally or conceptually equivalent falls within the scope of
protection of the present invention.

[0117] For example, the protection device 30 instead of being fixed on the
spindle 10, 100, 200, 300 may be fixed on a structure for supporting the
cutting spindle, mounted on the bottom end of the spindle carrying sleeve
252.

[0118] Another variant consists in designing the suckers 44a,b,c,d,e,f,g
and the suckers 64a,b,c so that they are extractable from the first and
second protection elements 40 and 60. For example, each sucker may be
associated with a pneumatic actuator as shown, for example, in FIG. 16 in
which, for example, the suckers 74a,b,c,d,c,e,f,g supported by means of a
shaft 84a,b,c,d,e,f,g project from the protection device 30 being moved
by a pneumatic actuator 80a,b,c,d,e,f,g, the vacuum generation devices
described above instead remaining unvaried.

[0119] In this way the tool 120 may be left always mounted on the spindle
100 since, if the suckers are retracted, the tool 120 may be used to
perform the boring operations, whereas when the suckers are extracted
they project more from the tool 120 and may be used to pick up and move
the material being processed.

[0120] It is also possible to envisage that the protection element with
the suckers may be motor-driven so as to move relative to the blade, such
as to be pivotable separately from the blade into the horizontal position
for picking up by means of suction the material being processed.

[0121] At this point it is clear how the preset objects have been
achieved. It must be noted that with an advantageous embodiment where the
sucker means are incorporated in the protection element of the rotating
tool so as to be substantially included inside the front profile of the
protection element, the machine control system does not have to take into
account additional dimensions and, during machining, may continue to move
the cutting head as though the sucker means were not present, with all
the resultant advantages both in terms of easier control and freedom of
movement of the cutting head.